date: Mon Aug 2 09:49:16 2004 from: Keith Briffa subject: Re: Reference for Michael Mann to: "E. Scott Bair" Dear Professor Bair Had you asked me this a year or two back , I would have sent a generally positive response as regards his drive (i.e. energy and ambition). Technically he is a gifted analyst and he obviously has an eye for recognizing the important issues at the interface between climatology and palaeoclimate data , and how both should be used to explore important questions about the precedence of recent climate change , and its causes and implications for the future. All very well - and probably enough for some departments, but yes there IS (or at least WAS) a sting in the tail. Mike was certainly not the best collaborator , and in some aspects of his work , not sufficiently aware of the characteristics of some of the data with which he worked. This would not be bad in itself , were allowance made and advice sought and accepted from a wider circle of colleagues or specialists than he was inclined to consult. There was a certain , apparent , overconfidence in his work which bordered on seeming arrogance and this has led to SOME EXTENT to a degree of unnecessary conflict with researchers and some members of the wider public , as regards the validity and certainty of some of his (and the IPCC) conclusions. I qualified this statement , because it is undoubtedly true that some of his critics have strong vested interests in attacking his work , and almost without exception , their criticisms have bee ill founded , even fraudulent. So why tell you all this ? The reason is that I now consider Michael to have mellowed! Perhaps matured is a better word. The experience gained in the last year or so , in relation to attacks by the "sceptics" , and in his slowly widening circle of collaborations, seems to have made him more measured in his work and less prone to over-reaction to criticism. When viewed in conjunction with his undoubted statistical excellence and unshakable desire to do "important" science, he has to be a great addition to any department. Rest assured he will continue to contribute major work , and if you judge that he will be able to collaborate within the department , as well as beyond it , he will make a great addition to your team. My recent experience of him is that he very likely will , and overall, I recommend him very highly. hope these initial thoughts help best wishes Keith At 19:56 30/07/2004, you wrote: Dr. Keith R. Briffa Climate Research Unit University of East Anglia Norwich NR-4 7TJ UK Dear Dr. Briffa: The Ohio State University is actively considering an appointment of Dr. Michael Mann as a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences. He is currently an Assistant Professor at another university. We are on a short lead time, and I would very much appreciate your emailing me your impressions of Dr. Mann's research and its impact. Your email response to me need not be long or overly detailed, but I do need it to be followed up by a formal letter. I thank you in advance for your efforts Sincerely, E. Scott Bair Professor and Chair Geological Sciences Ohio State University 275 Mendenhall Lab Coilumbus, OH 43210 -- Professor Keith Briffa, Climatic Research Unit University of East Anglia Norwich, NR4 7TJ, U.K. Phone: +44-1603-593909 Fax: +44-1603-507784 [1]http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/cru/people/briffa/